Gardens often suffer from the disturbance caused by subterranean activity, leading to unsightly soil mounds and damaged root systems. Dealing with these tunneling mammals can be frustrating for homeowners seeking to maintain a pristine lawn or productive garden. Understanding the specific signs of their presence and employing targeted removal strategies are the first steps toward regaining control. This guide provides practical methods for identifying and managing mole populations.
Identifying Mole Activity Versus Other Pests
Identifying the pest is the initial step in any control plan, as moles create distinct damage patterns compared to other burrowing animals. Moles create characteristic volcano-shaped mounds, formed when the animal pushes excavated dirt up a vertical tunnel shaft. These molehills lack a visible entrance hole in the center, setting them apart from other pest excavations. Moles also create raised ridges or surface runways as they forage for food just below the turf line.
These signs contrast sharply with damage from voles, which leave small, open entrance holes in the ground, often near plant bases. Gophers typically create fan-shaped mounds of dirt with a plugged entrance hole visible on one side of the soil pile. Recognizing these visual cues ensures that control efforts are correctly targeted.
Non-Lethal Methods for Discouraging Moles
Homeowners often explore non-lethal methods first, attempting to encourage moles to relocate away from landscaped areas. One of the most frequently cited options involves the application of repellents that create an unpleasant environment for the mole. Repellents often contain castor oil, which contaminates their food source and underground runways, causing digestive upset. These products are mixed with water and applied by soaking the soil, requiring reapplication after heavy rainfall to maintain effectiveness.
Sonic or vibration devices are another common strategy designed to annoy the moles into leaving the vicinity. These units are inserted into the ground and emit intermittent low-frequency vibrations or sounds. However, moles may eventually become accustomed to the constant noise or simply tunnel around the immediate area of the device, leading to mixed and often short-lived success.
Creating physical underground barriers can also prevent moles from entering a specific area, though this is primarily feasible for small, high-value beds. This method involves burying hardware cloth or specialized mesh material vertically around the perimeter, extending at least two feet deep. While effective, the labor involved makes this approach impractical for most large properties. Overall, these methods offer temporary relief but are less reliable than direct physical removal techniques.
Effective Trapping and Physical Removal
When non-lethal options fail to provide lasting relief, physical trapping remains the most effective and reliable method for removing moles from a garden. The success of trapping hinges entirely on correctly identifying and placing the device in a currently active, primary runway. To locate an active tunnel, the “cave-in” method is employed, which involves collapsing a section of a surface tunnel. If the mole repairs this collapsed section within 12 to 24 hours, the runway is considered active and suitable for trap placement.
Several trap designs are highly effective, each utilizing a different mechanism. Scissor-jaw traps are powerful devices set straddling the main runway, with the jaws triggered by the mole pushing up the soil. Harpoon or spike traps are placed directly over the collapsed tunnel, featuring downward-driving spikes sprung when the mole attempts to repair the disturbance. Choker loop traps utilize a wire loop that constricts around the mole’s body as it moves through the tunnel.
Before handling any trap, wear gloves to prevent transferring human scent to the device or the tunnel. Moles possess a keen sense of smell, and foreign odors can cause them to bypass the trap entirely. The trap should be set firmly into the ground directly over the active tunnel, ensuring the trigger mechanism is aligned with the center of the runway.
For optimal results, place a small block of wood or a piece of turf over the set trap to exclude light and circulating air from the tunnel system. Moles are sensitive to changes in airflow and may detect an improperly covered trap, leading them to plug the tunnel or create a detour. Multiple traps should be set in different active tunnels, as this increases the probability of capture. Traps should be checked twice daily to ensure timely removal of any captured animal.
Long-Term Strategies for Prevention
After successfully removing moles, the focus shifts to modifying the habitat to prevent future infestations. Moles are insectivores, with a diet consisting mainly of earthworms, grubs, and other subterranean invertebrates. Reducing this food source makes the garden less attractive for establishing new territories.
Applying a targeted, systemic insecticide can reduce the population of white grubs, a preferred food source for moles. This approach should be timed according to the grub life cycle, typically applied in late summer or early fall to affect the newly hatched larvae. Alongside chemical control, reducing excessive lawn watering can discourage worms and other insects from inhabiting the upper soil layers. For areas such as vegetable boxes, the installation of permanent underground wire mesh barriers offers a reliable physical deterrent against future tunneling activity.